{"id":1992,"date":"2011-04-13T08:00:27","date_gmt":"2011-04-13T08:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/?p=1992"},"modified":"2014-07-17T14:42:43","modified_gmt":"2014-07-17T14:42:43","slug":"wordbuilding-tetris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wordbuilding-tetris\/","title":{"rendered":"Wordbuilding Tetris"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Every Russian knows that Russian language is \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0435\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u043a\u0438\u0439 <\/strong>\u0438 <\/strong>\u043c\u043e\u0433\u0443<\/span>\u0447\u0438\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [great and powerful]. Nowhere is the \u201cmighty\u201d part as evident as in \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043b\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u043e\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0437\u043e\u0432\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [word-building], the process of creating multiple derivatives of any given word.<\/p>\n

Take any Russian \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043b\u043e<\/span>\u0432\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [a word] and play with it like a child would play with his building blocks:<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0438<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> – to carry<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to wear<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u0441\u043d\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0438<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> – to tear down<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0438<\/span>\u043b\u043a\u0438\u00bb<\/strong> – a stretcher<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u0448\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> – a burden<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to carry over, to endure<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u043e\u0442\u043d\u043e\u0448\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> – attitude<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u043f\u043e\u0434\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u0441\u00bb<\/strong> – a tray<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u0441\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u0441\u043d\u044b\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> – passable<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u043f\u043e\u043d\u043e<\/span>\u0448\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> – shabby<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0438<\/span>\u043b\u044c\u0449\u0438\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> – a porter<\/p>\n

and many more, but I think you get the idea.<\/p>\n

So what are these building blocks or components of Russian words?<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u041a\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u0435\u043d\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [Root]<\/p>\n

When Russians want you to get to the root of the matter, they say \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043c\u043e\u0442\u0440\u0438<\/span> <\/strong>\u0432 <\/strong>\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u0435\u043d\u044c\u00bb.<\/strong> Indeed, the root is an essential part of the word that it shares with a group of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043e\u0434\u043d\u043e\u043a\u043e\u0440\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044b<\/span>\u0435, <\/strong>\u0440\u043e<\/span>\u0434\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0435\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [cognate] words.<\/p>\n

In the example above, the root of all those words is \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u0435\u0441-\u00bb<\/strong> (although it takes the form of \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u043e\u0441-\u00bb<\/strong> and \u00ab<\/strong>\u043d\u043e\u0448-\u00bb<\/strong> as well).<\/p>\n

For example, the root of the word \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0435\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u043a\u0438\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [great] is \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0435\u043b-\u00bb<\/strong>. Its cognates are \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0435\u043b\u0438\u043a\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u00bb<\/strong> [giant], \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u0435\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u0447\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [grandeur], \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0432\u0435\u043b\u0435<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [command], \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0432\u0435\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [sovereign] and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u043e<\/span>\u043b\u044f\u00bb<\/strong> [freedom].<\/p>\n

The root of the word \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u043e\u0433\u0443<\/span>\u0447\u0438\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [powerful] is \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u043e\u0433-\u00bb<\/strong> as in \u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e<\/span>\u043c\u043e\u0449\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [help], \u00ab<\/strong>\u043c\u043e<\/span>\u0436\u043d\u043e\u00bb<\/strong> [it is permissible], and \u00ab<\/strong>\u0438\u0437\u043d\u0435\u043c\u043e\u0433\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [to be exhausted].<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u0421\u0443<\/span>\u0444\u0444\u0438\u043a\u0441\u00bb<\/strong> [Suffix]<\/p>\n

Suffixes are placed at the end of the roots and alter their functions. Suffixes are magic wands that turn nouns into adjectives, verbs, and adverbs.<\/p>\n

Some Russian words have just one suffix. Others have two or even three. Yet others have none.<\/p>\n

Take the root \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0435\u0442-\u00bb<\/strong> for example. Without a suffix, \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0435\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> is a noun that means \u201clight\u201d or \u201cworld\u201d. Let\u2019s add different suffixes to it and see what happens:<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043b\u00bb – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u043b\u044b\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> – this is an adjectival suffix that helps transform the noun \u201clight\u201d into the adjective \u201clight\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0438\u0446\u00bb – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0435\u0442\u043b\u0438<\/span>\u0446\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> – a bright room (the \u00ab<\/strong>\u043b\u00bb<\/strong> suffix is used here as well)<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u043a\u00bb – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> – another adjective is formed, this time it means \u201cwordly\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0430\u00bb – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0435\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – this is a verb suffix that transforms the noun \u201clight\u201d into \u201cto dawn\u201d as in \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u043e <\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0435\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c <\/strong>\u0438 <\/strong>\u0412\u0430<\/span>\u043b\u044f <\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0433\u0430\u0441\u0438<\/span>\u043b\u0430 <\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0435\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> [it was growing light so Valya turned off the lights].<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043b\u00bb, \u00ab<\/strong>\u044f\u0447\u00bb, \u00ab<\/strong>\u043e\u043a\u00bb – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0441\u0432\u0435\u0442\u043b\u044f\u0447\u043e<\/span>\u043a\u00bb<\/strong> [firefly] – all those suffixes indicate that it\u2019s a small (diminutive \u00ab<\/strong>\u043e\u043a\u00bb<\/strong>) something\/someone (noun suffix \u00ab<\/strong>\u0430\u0447\u00bb<\/strong> transformed into \u00ab<\/strong>\u044f\u0447\u00bb<\/strong>) that is light (adjectival \u00ab<\/strong>\u043b\u00bb<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u041f\u0440\u0438\u0441\u0442\u0430<\/span>\u0432\u043a\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> [Prefix]<\/p>\n

Prefixes are placed in front of the root and alter its meaning. For example, the word \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0430\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> [to give] with the root \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0430\u00bb<\/strong> will change its meanings as follows:<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0440\u0430\u0437\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to distribute<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to present<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to define<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0438\u0437\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to publish<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043e\u0431\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to drench<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043e\u0442\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to return<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u043e\u0434\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to punch or to booze<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to pass along<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to betray<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to sell<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0432\u043e\u0437\u0434\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to render<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u0432\u044b<\/span>\u0434\u0430\u0442\u044c\u00bb<\/strong> – to give away<\/p>\n

\u00ab\u041e\u043a\u043e\u043d\u0447\u0430<\/span>\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> [Inflection]<\/p>\n

Inflections are the endings that indicate gender, number, case and person:<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0420\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439, <\/strong>\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0430\u044f, <\/strong>\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0435, <\/strong>\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0441\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0435\u00bb<\/strong> – all mean \u201cRussian\u201d but the first three are singular masculine, feminine and neuter and the last one is plural.<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u042f\u0437\u044b<\/span>\u043a, <\/strong>\u044f\u0437\u044b\u043a\u0430<\/span>, <\/strong>\u044f\u0437\u044b\u043a\u0443<\/span>, <\/strong>\u044f\u0437\u044b<\/span>\u043a, <\/strong>\u044f\u0437\u044b\u043a\u043e<\/span>\u043c, <\/strong>\u044f\u0437\u044b\u043a\u0435<\/span>\u00bb<\/strong> – all mean \u201clanguage\u201d, but the endings indicate particular cases.<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u041f\u0438\u0441\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c, <\/strong>\u043f\u0438\u0448\u0443<\/span>, <\/strong>\u043f\u0438<\/span>\u0448\u0435\u0442, <\/strong>\u043f\u0438<\/span>\u0448\u0443\u0442\u00bb<\/strong> – to write, I write, he\/she\/it writes, they write – the endings indicate the person who\u2019s doing the writing.<\/p>\n

Needless to say, all these parts can be combined in so many different ways. Some of the combinations will require deletion or insertion of vowels and consonants as in<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u043b\u044f\u0434\u0435<\/span>\u043b\u00bb – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0433\u043b\u044f<\/span>\u043d\u0443\u043b\u00bb<\/strong> [he looked, imperfective – he looked, perfective]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0440\u0443\u0433\u00bb – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0434\u0440\u0443<\/span>\u0436\u0435\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439\u00bb<\/strong> [friend – friendly]<\/p>\n

\u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u043f\u0438\u0440\u0430<\/span>\u0442\u044c\u00bb – \u00ab<\/strong>\u0437\u0430\u043f\u043e<\/span>\u0440\u00bb<\/strong> [to lock, to bolt – a bolt]<\/p>\n

Is it any wonder \u00ab<\/strong>\u0422\u0435<\/span>\u0442\u0440\u0438\u0441\u00bb<\/strong> [Tetris] was invented by a Russian programmer?!<\/p>\n

P.S.<\/strong> I\u2019ve left out one word part. Can you name it? Also, can you come up with a word with the most number of suffixes? Prefixes? A combination of both?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

Every Russian knows that Russian language is \u00ab\u0432\u0435\u043b\u0438\u043a\u0438\u0439 \u0438 \u043c\u043e\u0433\u0443\u0447\u0438\u0439\u00bb [great and powerful]. Nowhere is the \u201cmighty\u201d part as evident as in \u00ab\u0441\u043b\u043e\u0432\u043e\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0437\u043e\u0432\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0435\u00bb [word-building], the process of creating multiple derivatives of any given word. Take any Russian \u00ab\u0441\u043b\u043e\u0432\u043e\u00bb [a word] and play with it like a child would play with his building blocks: \u00ab\u043d\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0438\u00bb…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":1995,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[8,7828],"tags":[1131,35349,1237,1248,35348,35347,1298],"class_list":["post-1992","post","type-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language","category-russian-for-beginners","tag-learning-russian","tag-roots-of-russian-words","tag-russian-grammar","tag-russian-language","tag-russian-prefixes","tag-russian-suffixes","tag-russian-words"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1992","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1992"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1992\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6300,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1992\/revisions\/6300"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1995"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1992"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1992"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1992"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}